Upgrade advice needed

SylEm

Senior member
Mar 11, 2005
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My current build is listed in my sig. I wanna upgrade my system, with as little money as possible. I probably don't need an entirely new rig, maybe just replace a few components. Currently I'm able to play medium settings at full resolution on my monitor on most games. My goal would be to be able to max out settings on the following games (and others of the like):

Call of Duty 4
Left 4 Dead
Fallout 3
Crysis (maybe not highest setting, but definetely 2nd highest)
Dead Space

Any ideas on what I should be looking at? I'm definetly trying to get bank for buck here, only have maybe a few hundred dollars to throw around.

Thanks!
 

Blain

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
23,643
3
81
Originally posted by: SylEm
I wanna upgrade my system, with as little money as possible. I probably don't need an entirely new rig, maybe just replace a few components.
My goal would be to be able to max out settings on the following games (and others of the like):

Call of Duty 4
Left 4 Dead
Fallout 3
Crysis (maybe not highest setting, but definetely 2nd highest)
Dead Space

I'm definetly trying to get bank for buck here, only have maybe a few hundred dollars to throw around.
GTX 280 after rebates

 

DSF

Diamond Member
Oct 6, 2007
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71
I agree with Blain, my first upgrade would be the graphics card.
 

Denithor

Diamond Member
Apr 11, 2004
6,298
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I'm going to differ slightly...

Pick up a WD6400AAKS or WD6401AALS for $70-80 to replace your 250GB Maxtor.

Then drop in a 4870 1GB or GTX 280 and you'll be cruising. Just make sure your PSU is up to the task of your new GPU (at least 500W from a good maker).
 

SylEm

Senior member
Mar 11, 2005
311
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i heard that if I got that video card, it wouldn't give me full performance because of my motherboard? Is this correct?
 

DSF

Diamond Member
Oct 6, 2007
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Originally posted by: SylEm
i heard that if I got that video card, it wouldn't give me full performance because of my motherboard? Is this correct?

I assume you're talking about the fact that your motherboard doesn't have a PCI-e 2.0 slot? That's not a big deal. Single-card setups haven't fully saturated the old PCI-e standard, making PCI-e 2.0 nothing more than a number at this point. With future cards it will become an issue, but not now.

I would make sure that a 280 will fit in your case before you buy one.

As far as updating the hard drive, you would likely notice an improvement, but not so much in-game. Most of the I/O takes place when you launch a game, load a level within the game or load a saved game. A faster drive can reduce those waiting periods but has essentially no effect on frames per second, which it sounds like you're really after.
 

SylEm

Senior member
Mar 11, 2005
311
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My power supply is an Antec True Power Trio TP3-650 650W, and my case is a LIAN LI PC-65B Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case. Will it work with current set-up? Any ideas if not?
 

krnmastersgt

Platinum Member
Jan 10, 2008
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Hardware wise it would, size limitations are easy enough to find out, just check NewEgg's dimensions for the inside of the case you use (or the company website if you can't find it on the egg), then get the dimensions of the card you plan on using and see if it's possible. However you should also remember that the power connector for the 4870/gtx260/gtx280 are on the top of the card, so if the card itself is barely fitting in the case, power connector might not.